Thursday, February 7, 2013

Controversy trails expulsion of 28 Redeemers University students

The expulsion of 28 students by Redeemer University for allegedly failing drug tests has sparked a big row. The tests were conducted last November for 42 students, who were asked to go for “routine tests”.

After resumption this year, some of them were told that they “tested positive” and last Friday, some of those who “tested positive” got expulsion letters; others got theirs on Monday.

The institution’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Adetunji Adeleye, said the decision was taken in line with the school’s values and philosophy “to raise godly children”, but the students are alleging unfairness.

Adeleye said: “A student was caught with an illicit drug. He mentioned others involved and we took them to the school clinic for tests. Some of them tested positive.”

But some of the affected students said the university authority never told them the purpose of the test and did not show them the results.

“I only saw in the expulsion letter that I tested positive to hard drugs. I asked for the result of the test, but they didn’t show me. Even if they won’t show it to me, they should at least show my parents the result,” said one of the expelled students, who preferred anonymity.

The affected students complained about the expulsion and the fact that they were not given a fair hearing.

“They should have at least set up a panel of enquiry and if the panel finds us guilty, so be it,” another student said.

On the results of the tests, Mr. Adeleye said: “There is no need to show the students the results because the university cannot conspire against them.”

Adeleye defended the institution’s decision, saying the expelled students are guilty–in line with the school’s religious norms.

He said: “Nobody should think anybody hates those students. It’s not spurious. In fact, it is even painful for us because we are losing revenue by sending them away. But it’s a painful decision we must take in our quest to raise students that will transform the world. The expelled students are those that refused the university’s lifeline of a second chance.

“We wanted to help them. The university has a programme designed to help them live a normal life, but they rejected the offer. A few of them accepted and they are undergoing the programme.” Adeleye was evasive when asked if the school’s clinic was capable of testing urine samples for hard drugs.

On why the students were not handed over to the narcotics agency since their offence was a criminal act, Adeleye said the school was neither the police nor the narcotics agency and had no reason to do so.

He later told The Nation that the Vice-Chancellor was considering a review of the matter.